National Republican., 1887-04-04

should worship Him In barn. Let the
churches Of Jesus Christ be not only COM
Portable, but ornate. Years ago, we re-
solved to have comfortable church. We
resolved that 1t should be amphitheatrical
In shape. The prominent architects Of the
country, after figuring on the matter good
while, said that such church would not
be churchly, and they would have nothing
to do with the enterprise. But after awhile
reputation. He put up for US the first
tabernacle, In amphitheatrical style. We
liked it. All who came liked 1t. This
building followed in the same style. We
believe 1t is appropriate and adapted. An
angular church will have an
angular theology. The church Of
Jesus Christ ought to be great
family circle, the pulpit only the fireplace,
around which they are gathered in sweet
and domestic communion. But when our
first tabernacle went up, o the caricature
and scofiing They said "lts a hippo
drome It's holy circus It's Talmsge's
theaterl' But the Lord came down with
power upon that old building, and made it
the gate OF heaven to great many. And
this building followed. That we were right
In persisting In the style of architecture Is
proved by the fact that now there are sixty
or seventy churches in the United States In
the same style. Indeed, our tabernacle has
revolutionized church architecture In this
country. A live church must have COM
modious, a comfortable, an adapted build
ing. "How amiable are thy tabernacles,
o Lord of Hosts! / would rather be O
dwell In the tents Of wickedness."
Again, the characteristic Of a live church
must be that 1t Is soul-saviDg church. 1t
must be the old Gospel OF Christ. "O,n
say some people, "the Gospel of Christ
allows but small swing for mans facul.
ties, and some men have left the ministry
with that idea" One such said to Rowland
Hill 81 have left the ministry because
don't want to hide my talents any longer"
SWELL" replied Rowland Hill, ~ think the
more you hide your talents the bet tel"
Why, there is no field on earth 80 grand as
that which is open before the Gospel minis
try. Have you powers Of analysis? Exhaust
them here. Have you uncomfortable logicp
Let 1t grapple with Paul's Epistle to the
Romans. Have you strong imagination2
Let II discourse on the Psalms of David or
Johns Apocalyptic vision. Have you great
powers OF pathos? Exhaust 1t In telling the
story of Saviour's love. Have you bold
style Of thinkingP Then follow Ezekiel's
wheel, full of eyes, and hear through his
chapters the rush OF the wings Of the sera.
which to work for God, come
into the Gospel ministry. AT
any rate, come into Christian circles,
and somewhere and somehow, declare the
grace OF God. Pardon for all sin Comfort
for all trouble Eternal life for all the
dead. o, my soul preach 1t forever
II has been my ambition, and | believe II
has been yours, my dear people, In these
years of my ministry, TO have this soul
saving church, and we never yet threw oui
the gospel net but We drew In great null
time; and two hundred at time; and
expect the DAY will appear when, In some
service, there will be 5000 souls accepting
the offers Of eternal life. wish could
| tell you some circumstances that have
come under my observation, proving tn,
fact that God has blessed the prayers Of
these people In behalf of souls immortal.
could tell you OF one night, when ! stood
at the end Of the platform, and gentleman
passed me, his cheek bronzed with the sea
and as he went into the inquiry room h
l said ~ am very glad t,
see you; walk in" That night h
gave his heart to the Lord. 1t was
clear case OF quick, but thorough conver
sion. Passing out at the close OF the In
quiry meeting, said, Show long have yol
been In this countryH" He said, 81 arrives
by steamer this morning at IL o'clock.n
said, "How long will you be In the city p
He said, ~ leave to morrow for Canada
and thence i go to Halifax, and thence b
Europe, and III never be here again.
said, ~ think you must have come to thl
country to have your soul saved" He said
That certainly was the reason" In tha
other room one night, at the close Of tn
service, there sat, among other persons
% said 10 If mySsIf aTbese are not anxious nn II
quirers.n | said TO the man, "Are you
Christian ~ He said, ~ am" said
"When did you become Christian 7" II